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If you’re someone who is naturally creative and fairly new to the world of needlework, you might be wondering whether to start with embroidery or cross stitch?
Or you may already enjoy embroidery and are ready to learn how to transition your skills into cross stitch. There are some similarities and things to definitely consider before you make your decision. This week, we’re going to talk you through the key differences between both crafts to help you decide and get started!
WHAT IS CROSS STITCH?
Cross stitch is known as a form of counted needlework, where you create X-shaped stitches on a piece of evenly woven fabric, such as aida.
WHAT IS EMBROIDERY?
Embroidery is simply defined as the art of decorating fabric using a needle and thread. Unlike cross stitch, embroidery is much more free-form as you aren’t limited to following the ‘grid’ of the aida or evenweave fabric.
Like cross stitch, you can follow a pattern with embroidery. Typically, the design is transferred onto the fabric and you can use the template to add in your stitches. Alternatively, you could draw your design onto the fabric directly with a pen or pencil
This is Mary talking now – did you know they are completely different techniques? I was showing embroidered cross stitch samplers and readers sent me pictures of counted cross-stitch samplers – which are simply gorgeous but not at all the same thing. Don’t get me wrong – I love getting the photos but feel responsible for sorting out the differences between cross stitch embroidery and counted cross stitch.
It was a very cold day in North Iowa – the wind was brutal and the barn heater ran most of the day.
I promised to show the baby ring necklace – 64 solid gold baby rings, some not even 3/8” in diameter, collected over a period of several years. A jeweler cut every other one and joined them together. Some of the rings were upwards of $125 when I bought them around the country. My souvenir was easy to bring home in my purse. Other rings might have been anywhere from $10-50 each and they were hard to find. I have more rings leftover that didn’t test solid gold so they weren’t included. This necklace is indeed priceless and could not be replaced.
I wish I could show you each individual ring – even mine is included.
Reader photos
And Hank’s mom just sent this to me –
And I have 8 dozen sitting on my kitchen counter right now that I’ll give away to my friends – but please don’t give me the horses in return.
Good Morning, I really enjoyed the photos of embroidery and counted cross stitch.
My mom had a baby ring. I remember her telling me that a jeweler had to cut it off her finger because it had gotten too tight. Unfortunately, I don’t have the ring. My niece and her husband lost their infant baby boy a number of years ago. He was buried in a small white coffin. I was brought to tears when some of her husband’s relatives dug the grave for the baby. I hope those who are suffering are healthy and happier soon. There are lots of people to keep in our prayers.
Our sidewalks and driveway are covered in an icy glaze. I can’t wait for spring.
Amazing cross stitch pieces today! Your ring necklace is so unique.
So sorry Sharon for all your losses.
Kim and Sharon sorry for the loss you both have endured. It’s never easy when it happens. Know that the people on this blog share in your loss and have our prayers.
Mary I love your baby ring necklace. What a novel idea. Love that all of you have shared your samplers, pillowcases and all the the other crafts that have been shared.
We spent the day on the road leaving at 4:30 this morning. Rain into freezing drizzle south of Des Moines, Iowa and had drizzle, rain and fog all the way to Muskogee, OK. Terrible accidents in Kansas City. Going the opposite way we were going. Many cars and trucks along the interstate. Hope the rest of our trip is better.
Rita – happy to hear you’re not one of those accidents! You’ve had a very long day with bad weather thrown in.
Stunning post today. All that handwork.
Sharon, I’m so sorry for your loss…it’s life changing.
The chickens are all laying “golden” eggs now.
I heard a woodpecker on my roof today. The migration is spreading the bird flu so fast here.
It’s very windy today. 50 mph, gusting to 70.
Jo – oh my, that much wind would make it impossible to go outside! I wonder how long the infected birds have to stick around to leave the germs. I don’t ever see wild birds land here – like ducks, pheasants, etc. but does bird flu include yard birds like bluejays and cardinals, etc?
We wondered about yard birds too as we have cardinals, blue Jay’s & lots of sparrows?
Love the baby ring necklace and the 2 dozen eggs for horses! We are to get freezing rain tonight and into the morning. I’d much rather have snow than ice any day.
So very sad to hear of the losses some of you are suffering. May God bless and comfort you all.
Love your baby ring necklace, What a keepsake! I too had a ring but guess what I did…..chewed it into a glob! haha!! (Don’t know where my parents were!) I also have some baby diaper pins that were my parents. Don’t know how they used them they are so small.
Husband grocery shopped yesterday and had to pay $8.91 for a dozen eggs and then store adds on 10% surcharge. Just too CRAZY!! Wish I lived closer to you Mary! hah! Love this blog! About everything!
Such an interesting and informative blog today, I learned a lot, thank you!
Yesterday I received a beautiful Valentine and tiny quilt from Kathy in NY, Thank you! Every one here is so kind, it makes sense because our Queen Mary only attracts good people.
You’re very welcome Jamie. Yes, goodness abounds here with kindness.
A sincere “Thank you” to everyone on your well wishes concerning my upcoming surgery and recovery. They did not recommend chemo before surgery and the surgeon said I might have chemo after but more likely radiation and also be on a pill for the next five years. My thoughts, prayers and sympathies to everyone going through loss now also.
I love the baby ring necklace! I have a couple on a chain in my jewelry box. I have an entire tall chest of drawers filled with crocheted and embroidered items. I used to embroider a lot when I was in my teens and twenties because my mom and grandmother did also. Every pillow case was embroidered and also edged with crochet. We also had lots of embroidered and crochet dresser scarves and the highly starched and scalloped doilies on everything! I tried counted cross stitch but had lots of difficulty seeing the spaces in the fabric. Funny story-I was going to cross stitch my niece a wedding prayer. I did all the words and was going to start on the beautiful flowers and vines around it. Not sure what happened but it was never finished and is here somewhere. She has been divorced four times-not sure what happened there either!
Debbie – the unfinished wedding prayer was an omen!!
Debbie, I’m sure there are others, like me, who would like to send you a card, can we have your address?
Kim and Sharon, so very sad to hear of your loss. Kim, good thing I’m far from you. I would have been banging on your door yesterday, begging for some of your pot roast.. my most favorite meal (and the ONLY way I’ll eat carrots!)
Jamie – her address will be in an upcoming post
Debbie,
I have several pillowcases my grandmother embroidered on and then added a sweet crocheted edging. They lasted so many years. Must have been a superior quality of percale produced at that time. She gave me some for a wedding shower gift. It’s nice to remember those days.
The best of luck with all you’re going through and we’ll be here waiting when surgery is over so you can kabitz with all of us. Hugs and prayers for a speedy recovery.
I have loved seeing the embroidered needlework very much. I have tried both ways in the past, but quilting became the winner. I still do regular embroidery now and then, but they are very small projects.
The egg-bartering joke made me laugh. My hens are just now starting to lay. They have given me 2. The first one, though, made me cry a bit because they broke and ate it, leaving me only the broken shell. Then, I loaded up their nesting boxes with soft straw and shavings. 2 days later, another egg untouched and perfect. They live in an unheated house and it has been so cold here. Maybe if it warms up a bit I will get more eggs. Horrah!
Sharon….my heart goes out to you. Sending you prayers.
Thanks for sharing the baby ring necklace photos – very unique! I have one – somewhere, I’ll have to unearth it – that I believe belonged to my aunt.
I’m glad you shared the definitions of embroidery and cross-stitch; I’ve done both, but lean toward the counted cross-stitch when I’m not piecing quilts. I have also done a lot of machine applique and enjoy making those fabric pieces come together to make a whole picture. I learned a long time ago that it’s a good idea to take photos of my work and wish I had started that practice sooner! (It’s especially handy when trying to duplicate an item…)
My sympathies to those who are dealing with so much sadness… prayers for all!
Have a good day – after a warm day earlier this week, we’re supposed to have freezing rain tonight, then another warm day. I would rather it either warm up and stay that way or stay cold – but it’s February in OH, so it’s to be expected…
That necklace of baby rings is unique and special. Priceless is truly the word. Once again, Mary, you amaze me with your originality. You are priceless
I have done stamped embroidery cross stitch and counted cross stitch. Unfortunately none are in my home now. I did crewel embroidery and needlepoint. And most of the quilts i made were sewn by hand. I haven’t mastered the rotary cutter. Ha I wish I had documented all my crafts by photographing them and keeping a scrap book of sorts. Lately I have been doing some easy knitting of garter stitch squares that I intend to make into an afghan. It’s therapeutic to me. There is a Fiber Art group that meets at the library. We work on our projects and chat. Good for me because I live alone. I miss the companionship i had when I worked.
Just learned via my granddaughter that dog owners have a 40% less likely dementia risk. Now I’m going to hug my dog.
Also learned yesterday that Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 and my Social Security should go up. It’s going to pay for dog food and vet bills! A Good investment.
Keep sending this pictures of all your needlework and quilts. I look forward to it every day.
Sharon G., so, so sorry for this season of loss. May you feel love and support from those around you and these blog friends.
Vicki and Dot, thanks for the name of the first snow quilt in an earlier post. 🙂 Mary, thanks for the distinction between cross-stitch and embroidery. My mom did a little of both.
Positive healing thoughts for those under the weather.
Jan
Thank you for clarifying the difference between embroidery and counted cross stitch. I don’t do either, so this was helpful. I love seeing all the pieces that are being posted, and I admire the amount of work it takes to finish them. Keep them coming. On Tuesday we attended the funeral for our great niece who lost her baby girl (22 months) to a viral infection. It was a hard day indeed.
Yesterday both kids came for dinner, which was sorely needed. I lured them here with a pot roast, potatoes & carrots. Served cheesecake for dessert. It nice having them both homes across the street from us. I still have my baby bracelet, and my godmother gave me a small necklace with a mustard seed. I never heard of baby rings but what a sweet idea.
Kim – wait! I don’t understand who died – the niece or the baby? How sad either way.
The baby, our great niece was the mother. Reagan the baby got influenza A and was in Milwaukee ICU for a week. They donated some of her organs. The tiny white coffin was so sad
Kim – oh, that is too devastating to think about!!! A tiny white casket? Oh, tears!!!
What a stunning necklace and original way to show off a collection. I have a couple of baby rings from ancestors … I guess that would be called “a start.” 😆
Loved all the needlework photos. I tried to get into counted cross stitch a few years ago and it wasn’t for me. I’ll just stick with quilting.
Love the baby ring necklace. I’d love to see it next time Hank comes to play.
Sharon G, you have my sincere sympathy ❤️🩹
The chickens are so beautiful, I could almost hear them cackling to one another and scratching in the straw. The samplers are so pretty!
It was a cold one yesterday! And it is dark and gray this morning! Not sure what we have in store for moisture today…. Yesterday was our sewing day and it was a cold one to be out but the chatter was great! Our daughter and son-in-law came for supper bring chicken wild rice soup and I made a mandarin orange lettuce salad. Soup, salad and conversation was awesome! Was awesome of them to come visit. I hope we can do that more often!
Stay warm northerners. We have been spoiled by that warm spring like weather we had last week!
I chuckled when you said you had 8 dozen eggs on your counter you would give to your friends. You might have friends that you didn’t even know you had!
Absolutely love your baby ring necklace. What a stunning piece of jewelry with a history. You should submit it to Country Living Magazine so others can learn about collecting. Love seeing everyone’s embroidery too. I’m now inspired to search for all the embroidery pieces around my house and hang them together.
I’ve learned something new and that’s baby rings. I didn’t know such a tradition happened at baptism. What a treasure you have Mary in that size necklace.
It’s another winter wonderland day here with snow on tree branches. Icy mix coming our way tonight and tomorrow. Love all the sampler pictures beautifully displayed so thanks for sharing them. We have a large library system in our county and every library had the book you recommended the other day either waiting for pickup or had been checked out. Must be a popular read right now.
Kathy – God of the Woods? Can I send you my copy – did you want to read it?
Thanks Mary for the offer but you will find someone there to read it. I will eventually get it at the library or go buy it with gift cards I have from Barnes and Nobles. It would cost too much to mail it but thank you for your kindness. You picked a popular one obviously.
Gosh I am so saddened to read Sharon losing another family member and what awful news of losing a baby Kim shared. I never take any virus for granted after what we went through when my husband caught one. 7 days in ICU and another 7 in acute care.
Sharon F – That’s a great sentiment in your quilt and I couldn’t agree more. All the embroidered projects are amazing. Somewhere in the 80’s I tried cross stitch but gave it up – just not my thing. I still have some unfinished projects around somewhere. After that, I took up hardanger embroidery which I love but that’s been put aside so I can do more quilting.
Take care everyone.
Love the photos of such beautiful handwork. Lots of hours went into each work of art.
Eggs are 34 cents/per egg in SW Ohio. Millions of chickens were destroyed yesterday in Darke county about an hour from me.
This situation is not going to be fixed in the next few months.
Ice/freezing rain is expected here this afternoon/evening. We will be staying in.
Been stitching an UFO log cabin block from a charm pack. Blocks will finish 4 inches.🤦🏼♀️ started it a few years ago at a retreat. It is time to finish. There is lots of pressing and trimming. Oh well, time to finish and move on. This is not my preference for sewing. I need to longarm several tops but that takes energy.
The Samplers are Wonderful and so is your necklace of Baby Rings, what a great idea!
I have never heard of, or seen, baby rings before, but somewhere I still have my baby bracelet. It’s about the size of a napkin ring, with my name engraved on it. I’ve enjoyed the samplers shared recently. I’ve done a little bit of counted cross stitch, but not really any embroidery, except for one small piece of silk ribbon embroidery I did in a class. I don’t think I’ve seen any of that here, so if I can find it, I’ll send a picture … just for something different.
Sharon G. I’m so sorry for your loss ~ so very hard to lose one loved one, let alone 5! Prayers for you and your family 😢. Mary, all the samplers are exquisite. I used to love cross stitch, but when I started quilting, I never went back. I love your baby ring necklace! How clever an idea. It surely is priceless. My baby ring got lost when I was a kid. I wish I still had it. I have a picture of myself wearing it when I was about 3 months old.
I think I misunderstood about your loss, Sharon. Not sure where the 5 idea came from. But still sorry, just the same.
Mary – Beautiful needlework the last few days.
I cannot believe I’m writing this, but another family member passed away on Sunday. 😢 I’m at a loss for words.
Take care everyone.
Sharon – how can this be? Another family member gone? I can’t begin to tell you how shocked and sorry I’m feeling for you. Hope you’re leaning on our Savior to comfort your heart.
It’s hard to believe the price of eggs! What used to be a inexpensive source of protein is almost as expensive as some cuts of beef.
Your baby ring necklace is beautiful and certainly one of a kind. Did you buy the rings with that in mind or did the idea come to you later? I still have mine; a baptismal gift from my godparents. My parents gave our daughter a ring for her baptism and gave our son a tiny gold lapel cross my paternal grandfather received when he was confirmed (circa 1906).
I’ve enjoyed seeing the (stamped) cross stitch. I do counted so have recognized some of the designs shown. I still haven’t got started back with quilting after cleaning my sewing room. I can cross stitch huddled under a blanket but it’s more difficult to do that with a sewing machine.